A FINAL FAREWELL FOR LAYKOS

MPD K-9 assisted in 130 arrests

A Madison Police Department patch and a tennis ball were among items in a wreath around Laykos’ urn during his memorial service Thursday. (Staff photos by Ken Ritchie/kritchie@madisoncourier.com)

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Current and former police officers gave a final salute to Madison Police Department K-9 Laykos during a memorial service Thursday at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre.

Officers with the Madison Police Department, Jefferson County Sheriff's Department and the Hanover Police Department filed one-by-one to salute their departed comrade before consoling Capt. Rick Mundt, Laykos' partner, and his family.

Laykos, 8, died July 31 after doctors discovered tumors on his spleen during a blood transfusion. He was born on Dec. 31, 2004, in the Netherlands. Laykos came to the United States in 2008 and was purchased by the Madison Police Department in early 2009.

Mundt and Laykos started their shift together on Feb. 13, 2009. Since that time, Laykos responded to almost 700 calls, assisting in 130 criminal arrests, most of which were drug-related.

In all, Mundt and Laykos trained together for more than 800 hours. It's estimated he helped take more than four pounds of drugs off the streets.

J.D. Traylor, the department's chaplain, said Laykos helped to take several drug users and sellers off the streets to keep Madison safe.

"Who knows what youngster would have gotten drugs from that peddler. And Laykos took care of that," Traylor said.

A dog will show companionship, loyalty, support and be trustworthy to a human, Traylor said.

"This dog was willing to die for you," he said. "If that had been what had been necessary, that's what he would have done for us."

Police Chief Dan Thurston said the department is looking at options to replace the K-9.

The department has raised $2,100 in donations. 24/7 No Drugs, an anti-drug group started by the family of Ryan Moreland, plans on donating between $1,000 and $1,500, according to the family. Bridges for Animals is asking for donations of at least $1. All money raised will go to the Madison Police Department to help secure the services of a qualified K-9 officer.

BFA will match the first $500. Donations are being accepted through Aug. 31, and may be mailed to Bridges for Animals, P.O. Box 1305, Madison, IN 47250.